Daily Republican., 1887-08-19

she said. 'Oh, I've had such . gay
time, and-well, dear, my ambition is|
TO be realized ut LAST. Tomorrow after.
noon Mr.. Richard Gray son calls for his
answer"
"Ednal" gaspsd Ruthis.
The beauty stood there with her
ffinged scarf slipping from her shoui.
ders, and her brown eyes shiniDR-her
head was proudly lifted.
Eyes, am to marry Nj. GrAyson,"
said Edna. "Aunt Barbara will be de.
lighted, and you shall rcvel In luxury,
dear"
eat the cost Of Keith Lovell's hsppi.
ness" said Ruthie, with her dark eyes
more pathetic than ever.
A change came over the blonde face,
but left 1t again 30 swiftly It was not
noted.
LET MS have no sentimental non.
sense" she said, impstiently. "Of
course II Keith had wealth, but he has
not--no prospect even OF ever being
anything but . poor dauber-thats q
figure Of speeoh,' % she saw the
shocked expression on Ruthie's face-
''0f course he's clever, but l am too
am bilious to link my lot With his -
Then she started back with scream
Of AismAy, % from behind the screen
Keith Lowell emerged, ghastly pale and
Heroe looking. - .
"You false, heartless w0man!" he said
hoarsely. II came here 70 night fall Of
happiuess-you dash the cup from my
lips. 60 sell your beauty for gold, but
the day will ceiue when you will re
pent. Set up your idol and worship 1t,
but when you Hnd 1t 10 Of clay. you win
know then what 1t IL to suifer ~ dc
now"
He rushed toward the door, but Eina'i
heart was touched.
'Etay, Keith" she cried, 81 will re-
tract my words. I am willing"
"Too late! he answered, and the nexl
moment he was gone.
FOR the frst time Edna Morris real
lied what she had lost, and 1t seemed
to her then thst oil the wealth iu ths
world could not fill thst void In heI
heart.
She sank into the nearest chair will
bowed head, and Ruthie, seeing thu
strange look on her face, crept quietly
out and left her alone.
| y
Four years later. Again the sister
are together, but to night there is ~
suoh contrast In their apparel as WA
seen before.
The brown.eyed blonde, In her dres
Of black lace, with knots OF Englist
violets, is still the hsndsomer OF tn
two, but not less attractive to apprecia
tive eyes 10 the slender figure In div
and scarlet with the earnest face AM
pathetic dark eyes.
Edna, do you think you were wise?
asked Ruthie. "Will he Gomez"
"Ot course he will come" said Rich
ard Grayson's widow. "He will kno,
that his fame and fortune are nothin
to met Vas not for thst wrote
him. Ruthie, my one regret during th
two years Of my married life WAS tha
had slighted Keith Lovell's love-m.
one hope during the two years OF M
widow whood has been that we shall moe
and renew our friendship"
The door Is opened now and "Mi
Lowell is announced, and the popula
artist, Hubert Ayres' protege and he'll
meets his old friends again.
1t is the frst OF the winter seasol
thsr-six months later Keith and Edn
sit together and talk OF their past,
calmly, she with an anxious look o
her face.
"Thsu you have quite forgiven m.
Keith" she says.
eyes. I forgsve you when the shoe
of the blow ceased to be felt. Whe
We met . few months ago, knew thi
my resentment WAS at an end"
Edna listens with beating heart. H
had loved her too well to blame he
she thinks.
"I will tell you the truth, Edna"
says. II loved you, but when lie
,, you over four years ago. vowed
crush that love out OF my heart, and
did
, "But o new love has grown, Keith
! she murmurs. II cannot have been d
oeived-"
: "You are right" ba answers. mista
y ing her meaning. II love your stst
. Ruthie"
A sudden blindness, chill upon b
heart, q mad whiting of her brain, OIL
= then Edna Gray son, sitting there wi
J that smile on her lips. realizes that 81
3 has deluded herself, and the happine
: she once cast aside will never be hal
!. This man beside her will mar
u Ruthie, true little Ruthie, who has 1
ways loved him; they will be hspp
,. and she-whst has she for consolati
~ Only the thought that she is, what
, was once her greatest ambition to be
! woman with O fortune. That Ia pc
u consolation when the heart Graves 10,
). and the fondest hopes OF life